Sao Tome and Principe – Useful Information for Travellers
Want to know about the tropical island country of Sao Tome and Principe? Or where it is and how to get there? ‘Sao Tome and Principe – Useful Information for Travellers’ is our personal experience exploring this country in 2024. Our adventure includes Sao Tome island and the neighbouring island of Principe. We share our insights on where to stay, where to eat and drink, and things to see and do. ‘Sao Tome and Principe – Useful Information for Travellers’ reflects our travel style and aims to provide useful things to know before visiting this obscure destination.
Sao Tome and Principe, ‘the chocolate island’s’. These small islands in the Gulf of Guinea were once the world’s largest cacao producers, and now produce some of the world’s finest chocolate. If you love chocolate, coffee, fresh seafood, jungle and beaches, then Sao Tome and Principe is a dream location! It is one of the least visited countries in the world, thanks to its remote location. Getting here isn’t easy, however, once you are here, you won’t want to leave. But the secret is out, and travellers are coming. Progress is happening. Nothing lasts forever.
Why go to Sao Tome and Principe?
Sao Tome and Principe islands are covered in tropical rainforest, with hidden waterfalls and old volcanic craters. Colourful birds, strange exotic fruits and giant trees give the islands a lost world feel. Old plantation estates, now inhabited by resourceful locals, scatter both islands. These serve as reminders of how busy it must have been in its prime. Coffee and cacao still make up 95% of the country’s exports, and support the economy as they always have. There’s no shortage of golden beaches, fresh rivers, and unforgettable scenery. Your only companion will often be a lonely dog. Locals are friendly and welcoming. There’s plenty of opportunity for hiking and farm stays, chocolate tasting, or pure relaxation. Sao Tome and Principe is what dreams are made of. It doesn’t disappoint.
- Capital: Sao Tome
- Best time to visit: June – March (wet season is March to July)
- Budget/Mid-Range/Couple: AU$100 per day
- Currency: Sao Tomean Dobra (STN15 = AU$1)
- Language: Portuguese
- Visa: Yes
- Difficulty: 2 (1-basic & 5-challenging)
Sao Tome
With a relaxed vibe, Sao Tome is more of a town than a city. Set on a quiet bay, and surrounded by jungles and beaches, it’s the busiest part of the island. Everything happens here. With decaying buildings from the Portuguese days, and tree lined streets, it’s a pleasant place. There’s a couple of hotels, supermarkets, restaurants and plenty of bars. Nothing happens in a hurry, and sitting around and waiting is a part of life. With the rest of the island within easy reach, it makes a great base for day trips.
Getting to Sao Tome
The easiest way to reach Sao Tome is from Lisbon, Portugal. There are also flights from Angola, Gabon and Ghana. Flights are expensive, so get in early.
Where to stay in Sao Tome
The city center is the obvious place to stay. Airbnb’s and guesthouses are starting to become more popular in town and also in the surrounding villages. Spending time in one of the villages inland is a memorable experience, yet you need to remember that transport will be required, resources will be limited and conditions basic. The quality of some places is better than others, as is the value, so do some research. We have stayed all over the island, nowhere has been perfect. Don’t expect luxury five- star options. You can be sure that wherever you choose, your host will go out of their way to make your stay comfortable. Finding a place with a water view is a bonus. Around the fort gets noisy on the weekends, as it’s the main area for parties. All-inclusive resorts can be found down the coast.
Where to eat and drink in Sao Tome
Seafood is understandably the staple food on the islands. Fish and octopus are the two most common types on offer. These usually come with fried plantain (banana). Vegetables are generally very small portions. Local beer and palm wine are easy to find. Street vendors selling fruit and vegetables are scattered around town. Be prepared to do a bit of bartering to secure a fair price. You will find the largest selection of fruit on the main road, near Diogo vaz cafe. The ladies set up their stalls each day, offering juicy pineapples and huge papaya’s, along with anything else that’s in season. We discovered a little vegetable shop opposite Supermercado Colombo, where we managed to find plenty of supplies to self-cater. Fresh coconuts can be found along the canal most mornings, and women set up little stalls on street corners selling donuts, battered fish, and various other homemade snacks.
- Get to Papa Figo’s (the go to for locals and visitors)
- Don’t miss B24 (one of the original restaurants in the park. Good size portions come with rice and fried bananas)
- Check out Diogo Vaz (recently opened chocolate café. Serves 100% locally made and sourced chocolate, ice cream and cakes)
Things to see and do in Sao Tome
Visit the Fort – The fort also serves as the national museum.
The waterfront – Early morning or in the evening to see the fisherman and old boats, sunrises and sunsets.
Hire a car – Hiring a car is the best and easiest way to see the island. Wilson has four reliable cars from Euro 35 per day +2399046251
Coffee Museum – See how the island used to be back in its prime plantation days. Enjoy a local coffee at the Monte Café next door.
Botanical Gardens and Saint Nicolas waterfall – Some awesome views from over one thousand metres.
Sample local Produce – Visit one of the local shops such as Ubaga or Kua Tela that sell locally made products such as liqueurs, oils, coffee and chocolate.
Getting around Sao Tome
Taxis and yellow mini buses congregate around the central market and continental supermarket to take you out of town. Motorbike taxis are also easy to find all over town. You can walk across the city in thirty minutes.
Principe – Santo Antonio
Even more wild and remote is the smaller island that makes up the rest of the country, Principe. Covered in tropical jungle, the small town of Santo Antonio serves as the islands main center. The few visitors that manage to get here usually stay in one of the up-scale resorts down the coast. There’s one small store with very basic supplies. Exploring the island alone is very difficult, with a car required, and limited hire options. Guides are also expensive. It’s raw and largely untouched here, and independent travel isn’t easy. Forget about tourist information, you may be the only visitor. You will feel like Robinson Crusoe, shipwrecked on a tropical island. This is the allure of Principe.
Getting to Principe
A couple of flights per day arrive on the island from Sao Tome. It’s a quick forty-five minute journey. The only other way to reach the island is via a ten-twelve hour boat ride from Sao Tome. Not recommended.
Where to stay in Santo Antonio
With Principe seeing very little in the way of travellers, accommodation options are very limited. Palhota Residential Guesthouse is one of the best options, with comfortable rooms, decent wifi, and breakfast.
Where to eat and drink in Santo Antonio
Restaurants in Santo Antonio aren’t cheap. Prices are twice that of Sao Tome. Fried fish with rice and banana is the staple. Keep an eye out for where the locals are eating. A restaurant is often just a couple of tables outside a shack. Self-catering is difficult, as we couldn’t find appropriate accommodation with facilities to cook. With any luck, your host will provide breakfast.
- Get to Beira Mar (typical island style food. Large servings. Quick service. Mains Dobra250)
- Don’t miss Mira Rio (serves snacks as well as mains. Best views)
- Check out small unnamed restaurant to the left of the church (best priced meals in town. Mains Dobra70)
Things to see and do in Santo Antonio
Igreja Catolica – Principes main landmark.
Immerse yourself in the small local market – The only place to find any fruit and vegetables. Prepare to haggle.
Banana Beach – Principes most popular beach.
Charter a boat – Some of the best views of the island.
Hire a car – Easiest way to explore the limited roads and reach some hiking trails.
Hiking options are plentiful, but trails are often overgrown and poorly marked. The only way to reach them is by private car.
Getting around Principe
The only public transport on Principe are motorbike taxis. Santo Antonio can be easily explored on foot in an hour or so. Hiring a car is the best bet to see other areas. Expect to pay around sixty euro per day.
Getting to Sao Tome and Principe
Principe can only be reached via Sao Tome. Flying into Sao Tome is the best, and only way, to start exploring these obscure islands.
Useful things to know before visiting Sao Tome and Principe
The airports are tiny. Don’t expect any duty free. There’s a currency exchange outside Sao Tome Airport.
Dogs are everywhere.
Some roads are in poor condition.
It’s a very safe country.
Sao Tome has most things you’ll need.
Principe has very little supplies, and they are expensive.
Drinking is a popular pastime on Principe.
Money changers are easy to find around the centre of town in Sao Tome.
Steet lighting is non- existent or very poor.
Sunday is party night.
E-sim will not work here. Buy a local sim card.
Final thoughts on travelling in Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome is one of our favourite destinations. It’s laid back, raw and natural. People are friendly and genuinely happy that you are visiting their country. It has some interesting history, appealing culture, and a cuisine based on seafood and locally grown goods. The locally made chocolate and coffee is world class, and production is becoming more popular. The thick rainforest means large parts of the island remain largely deserted, and you will feel like an explorer. Time seems to slip away here, and you find yourself being lured into the carefree atmosphere. The outside world is quickly forgotten. Life is good. Getting here isn’t easy, but this is part of the attraction. If Sao Tome was simple to reach, it would be overrun with visitors. With efforts underway to attract more visitors, flights becoming more frequent, and the arrival of cruise ships, things will no doubt slowly change. The time to visit Sao Tome and Principe is now. Paradise awaits.